FIRST LOOK: Lorenzo, Marquez in 2019 Repsol Honda colours
Fresh from surgery, Jorge Lorenzo appears in Repsol Honda colours for the first time to unveil the team's 2019 livery alongside reigning MotoGP champion Marc Marquez.
Jorge Lorenzo became the latest in a long time of famous MotoGP riders to wear Repsol Honda colours as he joined reigning champion Marc Marquez on stage for the team's 2019 launch in Madrid.
Unsurprisingly there are no major changes to the Repsol livery for its 25th season with Honda, barring the #99 in place of Dani Pedrosa's #26.
Marquez (7) and Lorenzo (5) boast twelve world championships across three grand prix classes, eight of which are in MotoGP.
Lorenzo was world champion for Yamaha in 2010, 2012, and 2015, before taking three race wins for Ducati last season.
A victory for Honda – where he replaces Dani Pedrosa - would make Lorenzo only the fifth rider in history to win premier-class races with three different manufacturers after Mike Hailwood, Randy Mamola, Eddie Lawson and Loris Capirossi.
Lorenzo on his recent scaphoid break: “Sometimes it takes months to recover but I’ve received a lot of care. Sepang test is only 15 days away and there would be too much pain. Better to save my strength for Qatar.” pic.twitter.com/CGA0KEeIwC
— CRASH.NET/MotoGP (@crash_motogp) January 23, 2019
Marquez has won five of the six titles since joining the premier-class with Repsol Honda in 2013, putting him equal with Honda legend Mick Doohan.
Only Valentino Rossi (seven) and Giacomo Agostini (eight) have more 'MotoGP' titles than Marquez who, like Lorenzo, has a two-deal deal with Repsol Honda.
However, both Marquez and Lorenzo are currently recovering from surgery.
Marquez said his shoulder was so painful for 2 weeks after the operation he almost didn’t want to leave the hospital. Joked he’s basically been with his physiotherapist for 24 hours each day since.
— CRASH.NET/MotoGP (@crash_motogp) January 23, 2019
Marquez required a left shoulder operation in early December following multiple dislocations, while Lorenzo went under the knife on Monday after suffering a fractured scaphoid bone in his left wrist during a training accident.
And while Marquez is on target for a track return when 2019 testing begins at Sepang on February 6-8, Lorenzo will miss the opening test and aim to return for the final test in Qatar.
A replay of the launch can be seen below (fast forward to the 40-minute mark):
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The Repsol Honda team has claimed 14 titles, 168 race wins and 427 podiums in 500cc/MotoGP since 1995.
Mick Doohan, who claimed four of his five 500cc titles in Repsol colours, plus former team-mate adn 1999 champion Alex Criville were among the guests present at the launch.
Past Repsol heroes Mick Doohan and Alex Criville appear on stage alongside Marc Marquez and Jorge Lorenzo.
— CRASH.NET/MotoGP (@crash_motogp) January 23, 2019
Repsol Honda's 500cc/MotoGP champions:
1995 - Mick Doohan
1996 - Mick Doohan
1997 - Mick Doohan
1998 - Mick Doohan
1999 - Alex Criville
2002 - Valentino Rossi
2003 - Valentino Rossi
2006 - Nicky Haydn
2011 - Casey Stoner
2013 - Marc Marquez
2014 - Marc Marquez
2016 - Marc Marquez
2017 - Marc Marquez
2018 - Marc Marquez
